Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 244: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will give favourable consideration to offering grant aid from the proceeds of the national lottery or otherwise to a club (details supplied) in County Kildare in respect of specific proposals including provision of an astro-turf playing surface; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24821/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 245: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the significant social, cultural and sporting role of a club (details supplied) in County Kildare throughout the Leinster region; the extent to which he has received applications for grant aid towards the development of further facilities at the club; his intention to meet these requirements in 2008 or thereafter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24822/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 246: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number and location of applications for grant aid received in his Department from various sporting or community groups throughout County Kildare in the past 12 months; the extent to which he expects to be in a position to respond favourably to such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24823/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 244 to 246, inclusive, together.

Under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. Applications for funding under the 2008 Programme were invited through advertisements in the Press on 13th and 14th of January and the deadline for receipt of applications was 29th February for paper-based applications and 7th March for on-line applications. All applications received before the deadline, including those from the organisations in question, are currently being evaluated against the Programme's assessment criteria, which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme.

In this regard, forty-four applications have been received in total from Kildare requesting grant aid under the Sports Capital Programme 2008. Out of respect to the confidentiality of the applicants I do not intend to identify the locations of the applications at this time. I intend to announce the grant allocations for the Programme as soon as possible after the assessment process has been completed.